Cittaja || Indian Historical Romance

82.

"Many people have put their lives at risk to save him, Mayura. I didn't give them all some sort of title or something. I am giving you this because of what you showcased that day. Maharaj told me about your conversation with him about the girl. I saw you handling administration for a while. You have been brilliant at that for a while now. But I came to this strong conclusion when you didn't hesitate to walk into the fire-lit building to save my husband. You didn't save him because he was the king. You saved him because he was your own. The first quality a queen should have is a deep love for all those she considers hers. A mother will jump into fire for her children. All of these people are your children. Once you experience them as your children, I know you will fearlessly go into any dangerous situation for their sake. A queen who can give up her most cherished possessions for her people deserves the place. The second is your foresight into the conversation with Maharaj. A king might falter, but a queen should stand up and show him the right path. She has to abide by her point to change his mind. Maharaj would have possibly forgiven the girl just for the thought that she was a poor girl who had to do the task given to her by her master. Yet, you stood your ground and defended your point. Compassion is needed, no doubt, but compassion that makes us weak isn't good. We cannot forgive those who have caused terrible damage. That fire could have claimed lives, and that isn't forgivable. It is necessary to recognize a criminal as a criminal and not discriminate against them on the basis of their gender, varna, or pantha. Justice cannot be blind. It has to be someone who can see through all the hides a human can wear. If blindness was supposed to make someone indiscriminate, Dritharastra should have been the epitome of justice, but it isn't. Vidura saw Dharma, and that is why he has the right to explain Dharma. Age isn't what gives wisdom; it is the essence of what you believe in that gives wisdom. Loyalty shouldn't be a hindrance to justice. Bhishma's loyalty only brought him a terrible death. He died on a bed of thorns. No loyal man deserves that kind of death. Karna's loyalty led him to be killed while removing the chariot's wheel. Loyalty is good, but loyalty to the wrong people is always wrong. Remember that your loyalty is first to the people of this kingdom."

Mayurakshi watched her give her pearls of advice while she decorated her.

"You are young, but age will not give you an excuse for mistakes from now on. Men in power can be downright cruel. That is why a tigress is more fierce than a tiger. She has to be the harder one in the jungle. You, too, have to be harder than Shakra. Be as hard as a diamond. You know how to play the submissive girl, but now you should learn when to dominate every other man in the room. Yesterday was the last day you were a young girl, Mayura. From today on, you are a goddess. This kingdom is your Swarga, and you are the Indrani. No man should be able to question your presence here. Make the earth your Swarga. When you do good, not everyone will praise you, but the moment you do something wrong, everyone will point to you. That is how politics works. That is why you should be ferocious."

Mayurakshi looked at her, slightly worried. She had hoped for a calmer life than the one she had in Krishneri. She hadn't expected a far harder life. Especially so much into the world of politics. Amrita saw her expression and smiled.

"You won't find a silver lining in a golden spoon, Mayura. You have to find it. In a rare appearance, you will find a silver lining. You have to be careful, grab it with both your hands, and do everything in your power to keep it with you. You have Saahiti and Veer with you right now. Don't stop looking, because you have two. Build an army of people who know how to advise you and stand with you for the right thing."

Mayurakshi was soon ready, and Amrita smiled looking at her. Taking a bit of kajal from her eyes, Amrita put it behind her ears. "May no evil eye hold you." Mayura smiled.

"I'm sure I have the brilliant opportunity to be your audience, Attaiyya. You have a long life. So, I am not that worried."

Amrita chuckled. "I retire from politics when my husband gets off the throne. You're taking over from then."